AGP Executive Report

Election Security: The FBI told Secretary of the State’s office it was the intended target of a suspicious letter, intercepted before delivery. Secretary Stephanie Thomas said election officials are reviewing safe-mail procedures; preliminary tests on similar white-powder mailings found no hazardous material. Early Voting: Hundreds rallied at “No Kings” events across Connecticut, including about 200 on New Haven Green, urging voters to cast ballots early. Early voting begins Monday, Oct. 19. Governor’s Race: Affordability is emerging as a central issue, with Connecticut voters saying the economy is worsening and Lamont and Republican challenger Bob Fazio competing for support. Russia Sanctions: Sen. Richard Blumenthal condemned President Trump’s decision to suspend sanctions on Russia, saying the move undermines pressure on Moscow as its war in Ukraine continues.

Election Security: Federal investigators are probing suspicious letters sent to election offices and lawmakers, including the Hartford offices of Connecticut Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy. Early voting begins Monday, as state officials prepare for the Nov. 3 election. Governor’s Race: Affordability is the top concern for Connecticut voters as Gov. Ned Lamont and Republican challenger Ryan Fazio trade blame over rising costs, including energy bills. Threats Against Republicans: A Naugatuck man was arrested on federal charges after allegedly threatening to kill Republicans and a public official. Utility Fight: Eversource is appealing PURA’s rejection of hundreds of millions of dollars in storm-cost recovery from ratepayers; Lamont called the appeal an “absurd money grab.” Data Breach Settlements: Frontier agreed to pay $625,000 to settle a state probe over a breach affecting nearly 60,000 Connecticut residents, while Connecticut and New York reached a $2.7 million deal with a pediatric health network and its IT manager over a separate breach.

Political Threats: Federal authorities are investigating suspicious mail sent to Connecticut lawmakers and election offices. Offices for Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal were targeted, and Rep. Joe Courtney’s Enfield office received an envelope containing an unknown substance; no one was injured. Separately, a Naugatuck man was arrested and charged with threatening to kill Republicans and a public official. Governor’s Race: Affordability and a souring view of the economy are top concerns for Connecticut voters. Gov. Ned Lamont and Republican challenger Ryan Fazio have also found common ground in supporting regulated bear hunting, as they make their pitches to voters on issues including jobs, housing and energy costs. Utility Fight: Eversource is suing PURA over its rejection of $400 million in interest on storm costs, escalating a dispute over how the utility can recover expenses from ratepayers. State Accountability: Former budget official Kosta Diamantis’ second criminal trial has been delayed until 2027. In a separate case, a Stamford doctor and his medical practices agreed to pay more than $860,000 to settle state and federal allegations of improper billing. Local Governance: Bristol approved a plan to pursue red-light cameras, citing crashes and traffic deaths; many residents oppose the decision.

Climate Lawsuit: Connecticut joined 20 states challenging the Trump administration’s repeal of limits on power-plant emissions, arguing the move threatens public health and the climate. Election Security: Federal investigators are probing suspicious mail sent to the Hartford offices of Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal; no injuries were reported. Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas and emergency officials also issued a guide to Connecticut’s 250-foot election security rule ahead of Nov. 3. Governor’s Race: A Quinnipiac poll put Gov. Ned Lamont 20 points ahead of Republican challenger Ryan Fazio, as voters expressed concern about Trump and the economy. Utility Rates: Eversource appealed PURA’s rejection of hundreds of millions in storm-cost recovery. Lamont called the move a “money grab,” backing the regulator’s decision to deny costs it deemed imprudent. College Oversight: Connecticut’s public college system launched a dashboard to track accountability and compliance reforms following an independent review of leadership conduct.

Election Security: Federal investigators are probing suspicious letters sent to election officials and congressional offices nationwide, including the Hartford offices of Sens. Chris Murphy and Richard Blumenthal. Murphy’s letter was intercepted; Blumenthal’s staff isolated the mail and alerted police. Governor’s Race: A Wesleyan poll puts Gov. Ned Lamont ahead of Republican Ryan Fazio, 57% to 34%. Trump’s 27% approval in Connecticut appears to be weighing on Fazio, despite voters’ concerns about the cost of living. Voting Access: Connecticut registrars held a statewide voter-registration session Friday, with online, mail and in-person deadlines ahead of the midterms; same-day registration remains available during early voting and on Election Day. State Oversight: Eversource is suing over PURA’s storm-cost decision, challenging its treatment of interest and roughly $7.7 million in crew costs. Separately, the state is seeking to halt former official Konstantinos Diamantis’ pension payments after his bribery conviction and flight to Greece. Higher Education: CSCU launched a public dashboard tracking nine reforms following a review that found systemic failures in handling sexual-harassment complaints. Energy and Affordability: The Trump administration is again seeking to revoke Revolution Wind’s federal approval as the project nears completion. Connecticut is also beginning distribution of 1.5 million eggs secured through a price-fixing settlement, with food pantries and shelters among the recipients.

Governor’s Race: A Quinnipiac poll gives Gov. Ned Lamont a 58%-38% lead over Republican Ryan Fazio, as both campaigns spend heavily. Fazio is pitching a plan to fill Connecticut’s 86,000 open jobs; the candidates also agree on allowing a regulated bear hunt, a rare point of common ground. Offshore Wind: The Trump administration is again asking a federal court to revoke approval for Revolution Wind, weeks after the project installed its final turbine and as it nears completion. Energy Costs: Lamont released another $12.7 million for home-heating assistance as oil prices rise, while a new report says Connecticut’s poverty rate has climbed above pre-pandemic levels. AI and Privacy: Attorney General William Tong and the Office of Consumer Counsel want PURA to investigate utilities’ use of AI, adding to scrutiny of Flock license-plate cameras and questions about surveillance and privacy. Local Infrastructure: Windsor Locks opened a new train station, expanding connections to Bradley International Airport.

Utility Oversight: Connecticut’s attorney general and ratepayer advocate want regulators to investigate how utilities are using AI to manage electric, gas and water systems. Governor’s Race: A Quinnipiac poll gives Gov. Ned Lamont a 58%-38% lead over Republican Ryan Fazio, even as both campaigns spent $20.2 million in three months. DOC Accountability: A watchdog found failures in the Department of Correction’s handling of a doctor whose credentials and patient care were questioned, raising fresh concerns about prison healthcare. Heating Aid: Lamont is releasing another $12.7 million for home heating assistance as oil prices surge. Poverty: A new report estimates 385,500 Connecticut residents—10.6% of the population—were living in poverty in 2025 and warns looming federal benefit cuts could deepen hardship. Clean Transportation: DEEP will raise the standard rebate for new electric vehicles from $1,000 to $1,500 starting Oct. 15. Election Watch: Early voting begins Monday across Connecticut. Food Assistance: Connecticut Foodshare has begun distributing 1.5 million free eggs secured through a settlement over alleged price manipulation.

Election 2026: In a debate ahead of Nov. 3, Rep. Jahana Hayes and challenger Chris Shea clashed over federal policy as voters focused on affordability. Republican gubernatorial challenger Ryan Fazio spent $9.6 million from July through September; his publicly funded campaign grant was delayed during an investigation that found no wrongdoing. Voter Access: Connecticut early voting begins Monday. Heating Costs: Gov. Ned Lamont released $12.7 million in state aid for home heating as fuel prices rise. Transit: Windsor Locks’ new train station opens Oct. 18, adding Hartford Line and Amtrak service and bus connections to Bradley International Airport. Washington: Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined a bipartisan group urging President Trump to reverse his Russian diesel deal, which critics say benefits Moscow and may violate federal law.

Heating Assistance: Gov. Ned Lamont will release $12.7 million from Connecticut’s contingency fund to bolster winter heating aid as oil prices climb; the program expects to serve 94,291 households. Offshore Wind: The Trump administration is asking a federal court to let it withdraw approval for Revolution Wind, now nearing completion. Interior says the filing follows the court schedule and does not signal a policy change. University Oversight: Eastern Connecticut State University is investigating alleged irregularities in donor-restricted funds at its foundation and has notified state auditors and the comptroller. Poverty: A CT Voices for Children report finds the state’s poverty rate rose from 7% in 2021 to 10.6% in 2025, affecting about 385,500 residents, including 91,400 children; further federal benefit cuts could push it higher. Transit: Windsor Locks’ new $46.1 million train station opens Sunday, with Hartford Line service and expanded bus connections to Bradley International Airport. Russia Diesel Deal: Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined a bipartisan group urging President Trump to reverse course, arguing the import waiver conflicts with the 2022 law barring Russian energy imports.

Russia Sanctions: Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined five colleagues from both parties in urging President Donald Trump to reverse the decision allowing Russian diesel imports, arguing it violates a 2022 law and bypassed Congress. Connecticut Campaigns: Gov. Ned Lamont has put $13 million of his own money into his reelection bid, half his personal spending in his last campaign. Republican challenger Ryan Fazio qualified for an $18 million public grant through Connecticut’s Citizens’ Election Program. Sen. Chris Murphy says he’ll spend most of his time in Connecticut while campaigning for Democrats in several battleground states. Energy Infrastructure: Eversource and Dartmouth’s Thayer School of Engineering were selected for a federal grant of up to $47.7 million to improve transmission capacity across the utility’s network in Connecticut and neighboring states. Campus Safety: UConn plans to remove its blue-light emergency phones, citing rising maintenance costs and low use; critics want the university to provide a clear alternative for students without working phones.

Murphy’s Campaign Push: Sen. Chris Murphy plans to spend most of the final weeks before the midterms in Connecticut, while also campaigning in battleground states. He’s also heading to Florida to support Senate candidate Angie Nixon and says he wants to boost “No Kings” rallies at home. Russia Diesel Fight: Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined a bipartisan group urging President Trump to reverse course on Russian diesel imports, arguing the move violates a 2022 law barring Russian energy imports while Russia wages war on Ukraine. Campaign Finance: Connecticut’s public election financing program stands apart as campaign spending nationwide climbs into the billions this cycle. Special Education: Meriden parents are pressing for better services and more state funding after families described persistent struggles securing support for students with disabilities.

Washington Watch: Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined a bipartisan group urging President Trump to reverse a Russian diesel deal, arguing it violates sanctions law and could fund Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Campus Safety: Connecticut Sens. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox and Tony Hwang are pursuing legislation to close a legal loophole involving voluntary intoxication and sexual assault, following allegations at Cornell. At UConn, plans to retire emergency phones have renewed debate over campus safety. Foreign Policy: Sen. Chris Murphy opposed U.S. retaliation against Yemen after a deadly attack in Saudi Arabia, warning that further military action could widen the conflict; he also sharply criticized the administration’s handling of the war.

Campus Safety: Connecticut Sens. Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox and Tony Hwang are pursuing bipartisan legislation to close a voluntary-intoxication loophole in sexual assault law after allegations at Cornell, their alma mater. Russia Sanctions: Sen. Richard Blumenthal joined a bipartisan group urging President Trump to abandon a Russian diesel deal, arguing it could violate U.S. law and fund Moscow’s war against Ukraine. Election Security: Connecticut election officials sought to reassure voters that the state’s voting systems are secure ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Corruption Case: Former state official Konstantinos Diamantis, convicted in a federal corruption case, is seeking a pardon from Trump. Energy Costs: Gov. Ned Lamont and Republican gubernatorial candidate Erin Stewart’s challenger, Chris Fazio, addressed rising home heating oil prices.

Election Security: Connecticut officials say voting systems are secure, as election officials use an ad campaign to encourage confidence ahead of the Nov. 3 state election. Former Official Seeks Pardon: Konstantinos Diamantis, the convicted former head of Connecticut’s school construction program, is seeking a presidential pardon after fleeing to Greece and missing his sentencing. State-Regulated Sports Contracts: Connecticut is pushing back against the CFTC’s effort to block state oversight of sports-related prediction markets, saying the agency is reviving an argument a federal judge already rejected. Road Safety: Connecticut police will join five neighboring states in stepped-up patrols Oct. 13-15 targeting speeding, distracted and impaired driving. Heating Costs: Gov. Ned Lamont and Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Fazio have addressed rising home-heating oil prices as winter approaches. AI in Court: A Connecticut judge sanctioned a self-represented plaintiff for inserting hidden instructions designed to influence a court’s AI tools into legal filings.

Election Security: Connecticut officials are assuring voters that the November election is secure, as state election offices promote voting information through a public campaign. Diamantis Case: Former state school-construction chief Konstantinos “Kosta” Diamantis, convicted on 21 counts of extortion and bribery, is seeking a Trump pardon after skipping his sentencing in Greece; he is also pursuing an appeal. Sports Contracts: Connecticut is pushing back against the CFTC’s effort to block state regulation of sports-related prediction markets, arguing the agency is revisiting a position already rejected by a federal judge. Energy Costs: Gov. Ned Lamont and Republican challenger Ryan Fazio addressed rising home-heating oil costs, while Lamont also faces criticism over his relationship with Eversource’s CEO. Hartford Schools: A state forensic audit found no misuse of funds in Hartford Public Schools’ 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.

Sports Betting Regulation: Connecticut is pushing back against the CFTC’s effort to block state oversight of sports-related prediction markets, arguing a federal judge has already rejected Kalshi’s bid for similar relief. Heating Costs: Gov. Ned Lamont and Republican challenger Ryan Fazio offered competing ideas for winter heating relief: Lamont says he’ll seek money from a state fund, while Fazio proposes suspending several energy taxes. Election Readiness: Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas is launching a $1 million, bilingual campaign to explain voting options ahead of the Nov. 3 election and highlight local election officials. State Senate Race: Longtime Republican Sen. John Kissel faces Democrat David Kiner, who says affordability and property taxes are key concerns for voters. Consumer Protection: Attorney General William Tong announced a settlement with a wholesale company accused of distributing illegal, high-potency cannabis products.